The main objective of this paper was to illustrate the enhancement of the sensitivity of ELISA titration for neurodegenerative proteins by reducing nonspecific adsorptions that could lead to false ... [more ▼]

The main objective of this paper was to illustrate the enhancement of the sensitivity of ELISA titration for neurodegenerative proteins by reducing nonspecific adsorptions that could lead to false positives. This goal was obtained thanks to the association of plasma and wet chemistries applied to the inner surface of the titration well. The polypropylene surface was plasma-activated and then, dip-coated with different amphiphilic molecules. These molecules have more or less long hydrocarbon chains and may be charged. The modified surfaces were characterized in terms of hydrophilic—phobic character, surface chemical groups and topography. Finally, the coated wells were tested during the ELISA titration of the specific antibody capture of the α-synuclein protein. The highest sensitivity is obtained with polar (Θ = 35°), negatively charged and smooth inner surface. [less ▲]

We report the case of a 46 XY patient with a disorder of sex differentiation (DSD) caused by an inactivating mutation of the LH receptor. Mutations of genes involved in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal ... [more ▼]

We report the case of a 46 XY patient with a disorder of sex differentiation (DSD) caused by an inactivating mutation of the LH receptor. Mutations of genes involved in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function are rare but they provide an experience of nature for understanding the physiology and the pathophysiology of gonadotropins actions. There arise from correlation between the phenotypes and genotypes in those unique conditions. Management of this particular patient with no LH activity involves oestrogen replacement therapy to induce breast development together with a gonadectomy due to the risk of gonadoblastoma in streak gonads. [less ▲]

Taking into account its non-invasive, non-destructive character and fast data acquisition, near infrared spectroscopy is more and more integrated in production processes to acquire analytical results ... [more ▼]

Taking into account its non-invasive, non-destructive character and fast data acquisition, near infrared spectroscopy is more and more integrated in production processes to acquire analytical results. Implementation of a NIR quantitative method is performed using an iterative heuristic approach that will ultimately build a model allowing the prediction of the concentration of the analyte of interest. In this context, the aim of the present study was to develop an innovative approach based on statistical tolerance intervals and the desirability index FMI (Fitting Model Index) to select the most appropriate prediction model from a list of candidate models instead of using conventional criteria such as R², RMSEC, RMSECV and RMSEP [1-2] without objective decision rules. This new approach is illustrated on different steps of a real pharmaceutical manufacturing process: water and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) determinations in pharmaceutical pellets. Variability sources such as production campaigns, batches, days and operators were introduced in the calibration and validation sets. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression on the calibration sets was performed to build prediction models of which the ability to quantify accurately was tested with the validation sets. Regarding the product specifications, the acceptance limits were set at 20% and 5%, for the moisture and API determination, respectively.As can be seen from Figure 1 and 2, this innovative approach based on the desirability index FMI of the accuracy profile enabled to build and select the most appropriate prediction model in full accordance with its very final goal, to quantify as accurately as possible the analytes of interest. [1] Hubert Ph. et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., 36, 2007, 579-586. [2] Rozet E. et al., Ana. Chim. Acta, 591, 2007, 239-247. [less ▲]

The effect of two types of cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and paper pulp, on enzymatic hydrolysis for cellobiose production was investigated. The particle size, the relative crystallinity index and ... [more ▼]

The effect of two types of cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and paper pulp, on enzymatic hydrolysis for cellobiose production was investigated. The particle size, the relative crystallinity index and the water retention value were determined for both celluloses. A previously studied multistage hydrolysis process that proved to enhance the cellobiose production was studied with both types of celluloses. The cellobiose yield exhibited a significant improvement (120% for the microcrystalline cellulose and 75% for the paper pulp) with the multistage hydrolysis process compared to continuous hydrolysis. The conversion of cellulose to cellobiose was greater for the microcrystalline cellulose than for the paper pulp. Even with high crystallinity, microcrystalline cellulose achieved the highest cellobiose yield probably due to its highest specific surface area accessible to enzymes and quantity of adsorbed protein. [less ▲]